Lauder gears up for grand cycling Tour

PIC PHIL WILKINSON 07740444373'info@philspix.com www.philspix.co.uk''Weather pic.''Keen road cyclist Mark D'Andrea , pedals his way up a steep incline out of Stow in the Scottish Borders , as a beautiful spring sunset ends one of the sunniest days of 2014 so far for Scotland.

Published:18:34Tuesday 22 April 2014

Saturday will see 500 riders take part in Borders bike extravaganza The Tour de Lauder.

The event has once again been a sell out success with all places filled within nine days, much to the delight of the volunteer committee from Lauder who organise the ride.

Event organisers are confident it will break its own fundraising records with more than double the number of riders eagerly signed up than last year. The day is run in tribute to the much loved and missed local Lauder resident Steve Cully. Since being set up in 2012 over £60,000 has already been donated in his name through the Steve Cully Tribute Fund to Scotland’s Health Charity, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

The funds raised have already made a real impact on CHSS’s ability to fund its vital support for people in Scotland living with the effects of chest, heart and stroke illness.

The Tour de Lauder will follow the same challenging 89 mile and 50 mile routes as last year, starting and finishing at the beautiful Thirlestane Castle and passing through Peeblesshire, Central Borders and Berwickshire.

One of the participants this year is Kate Young who has previously taken part in the event both on the road and behind the scenes and this year aims to complete the course with a team. The event and CHSS mean a lot to Kate, not only as a friend of Steve but as her father, Roddy Young, died from a heart attack in 2012. Kate says: “Every training ride I have done, there has been a point where I have checked myself mentally - I believe in ‘no pain, no gain’; and I know that any sweat and pain I go through on my bike, is nothing compared to the pain others suffer or have suffered, either living with a life threatening disease or dealing with the loss of a loved one.

“I fully admire anyone not matter what distance they’ve signed up for or what role they take on to ensure the challenge of Tour De Lauder can be met.”

The event also includes a raffle on the day with top prizes donated by local businesses. From the hire of a Maserati for a day to bike wheels and bikes themselves the raffle is a must for any bike enthusiast. Tickets are on sale at Thirlestane Castle throughout the day.

Even if you’re not taking part in the ride you’re invited to watch the riders cycle through Lauder High Street at 9.15am and cheer them on their way or pop along to cheer them on part of the route near you.

For more information on the Tour de Lauder and details on the routes taken visit www.tourdelauder.co.uk